Electrically controlled accounting system



Aug. 13, 1940. H. c. ROBINSON El AL 2,211,165

ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed May 24, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1

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Aug- 13, 0- H. c. ROBINSON ET m. 2,211,155

ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed May 24. 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. CARL P. CLARE, MARTIN 1.. NELSON HAROL R C. ROBIN?N%EITH JOHNSTON ATTORNEY.

Aug. 13, 1940. H. c. ROBINSON ET AL 2,211,155

ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed May 24, 1937 12 Sheets- 51mm 3 LEITH JOH ATTORNEY;

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Q 3, 1940. H. c. ROBINSON ETAL 1 ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed May 24, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 RECEIVING DISTRIBUTOR SYN. A C MOTOR SUPPLY LINE ATTORNEY.

Aug, 13, 1940. H. c. Roamscm ET AL 2,211,365

ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed May 24, 193? 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm .ST mam W W N3 W IWH fiww TT m: m? 0 HI 3? R MS H m2 m 51 .o Fl 3? PR R H 3 w: m 34 ax 3 Kl' D A w V H 5w X0 m 02mm I N 5 A w NH 5 a; 3x 3; mm; mi 31 v w b b b t is m mu fi l li i zi il H 5 NE 3 3 $2 NEE EM I I a M *8 8 I 8 I a: 2: I ma EH Ed Q N m w M R $2: $95 9Q 55% M08 ATTORNEY.

g H. G. RBN$N ET AL 2921191@g ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed May 24,, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 FINDER "3 PUNCH-3 STE P MAG.

CABLE 492 INVENTOR. cm P. LLARE MARTIN L. NELS QN 5 am, LEITH JQHNfiaON A L. a HARQLD c. mam

Aug-5 1 33, M400 H. c. RQBHNSQN m" AL 292139155 ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed May 24, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 TO SECOND ALTERNATER RELAYS STORAGE SET 0 ERROR INVENTOR. CAP-2L P CLARE. MARTIN L. NELSON i-iARQLg C. RC DBM N, LElTH JOHNSTQN ATTORNEY.

Aug. 13, 1940. v H. a ROBINSON ET AL 2,211,155

ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed May 24, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 SON H, mm H. c. ROBINSON ET AL 23111 1165 ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed may 24, 1937' 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 CARI. P. CLARE MARTIN L. NELSON IIAROL Q C, RUB! N LEITH JOHNSTON ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 13, 1940 UNITED STATES- ELEGII'RICAILY OONTROLLED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Harold C. Robinson and Leith Johnston, Baltimore, Md., and Martin L. Nelson and Carl P. Clare, Park Ridge, 111., assignors to Associated Electric laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application May 24, 1937, Serial No. 144,376

28 Claims.

The present inventionrelates in general to a n electrically controlled accounting system.

The system disclosed in the present application may be considered as an improvement on Patent 2,018,420, granted October 22, 1935. This patent and application disclose systems for automatically recording the sale of merchandise articles at a centrally-located accounting room.

The main object of the invention is the provision of an improved high speed punch capable of making a larger number of recordings per minute than is possible with the punch shown in the above patent.

Another object of the invention is the provision of storage devices for storing registrations in a system of the above type.

The card punch, shown in the system of Patent 2,018,420, has a movable carriage operable step by step to set settable stops, or pins, in a set-up basket which are locked to control the punches to perforate a card. It is also necessary to return the movable carriage. The step-by-step operation and return movement of the carriage the speed of operation of this card punch in that a definite time is required for complete operation of the punch. The speed of operation is also determined by the number of columns in a record card which are to be punched'since each column of the card requires an additional stepping operation of the carriage. This time limit determines the number of card punches required in a system such as disclosed in the Robinson et in. Patent 2,018,420. In accordance with the present invention a new and improved high speed card punch of simple and reliable construction has been provided which does not have the time limiting factors of the punch shown in the above patent. The new card punch, while somewhat similar in construction to the punch in the above patent, does not have the movable carriage and the set-up basket which are the time limiting factors. In addition the new punch is less expensive and more reliable in operation because the movable carriage and set-up basket has been removed. Failure of the movable carriage to properly step or failure of the settable stops, or

' pins,*in the prior punch have caused considerable operation, and thereby greatly reduce the number of card punches required in a system of the above type, storage devices are associated with the receiving distributors to store the registrations until such time as an idle punch is operatively connected therewith.

The new high speed punch is also adaptable for use in a manually controlled accounting system. Heretofore, in a system of this type, a number of operators each individually controlled 2. card punch by means of the key-boards directly associated with the punches. While the speed of a key-controlled punch is sufficient to keep up with the key actuations performed by the operator, the number of punches required in a large system depends on the number of operators needed to produce the required amount of perforated record cards. In accordance with the present invention one high speed punch is capable of recording the key actuations performed by approximately twenty operators. In order to accomplish the above, and thereby greatly reduce the number of expensive punches required, storage devices are associated with each operators key-board for registering the key actuations. The high speed punch is operatively connected to them storage devices after each registration and the registration on the connected storage device operates the punch to record or punch a card in accordance with such registration after which the storage device and punch are freed for further operations.

Other features, not specifically mentioned above, relate mostly to improved circuit arrangements and will be described more'in detail by referring to the accompanying drawings comprising Figs. 1 to 16, inclusive.

Fig. 1 is a top view of the improved punch.

Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of the punch.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the date perforating details of the punch.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the date perforating details.

Fig. 5 shows a plunger lineswitch and associated masterswitch, a rotary lineswitch and a transmitting distributor indicated by the three rectangles on the left.

Fig. 6 shows the circuits of a receiving distributor.

Fig. 7 shows a group of pick-up relays, a sequence switch and a storage device individual to the receiving distributor of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows a spotter switch and relay, part of the transfer relays, part of the polarized relays and solenoid magnets of the punch, and the circuits of the finder and punch.

Fig. 9 shows the circuits of two finger and punch combinations similar to that shown in Fig. 8.

Figs. 10 and 11 shows different side views of w the spotter relay and switch lllustrated in Fig. 8.

ister device comprises a sequence Fig. 12 shows an operators keyboard or set.

Fig. 13 shows one oi the two register devices associated with the key set in Fig; 12. This regswitch and storage condensers.

Fig. 14 shows part of the transfer relays, part of the polar relays and solenoid magnets of the punch, and the circuits of the finder and punch.

Fig. 15 shows a schematic diagram of the systern shown in detail in Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive.

' Fig. 16 shows a schematic diagram of the system shown in detail in Figs. 12 to 14, inclusive.

The transmitting distributor illustrated in the three rectangles to the left in Fig. 5 is similar to the transmitter shown in Figs. 14, 15, and 16 of Patent 2,018,420. The plunger lineswitch and associated masterswitch and the step-by-step rotary lineswitch are of the well-known type used in automatic telephone systems. The sequence switches are mechanically similar to the rotary lineswitches and therefore step their wipers .on deenergization of their stepping magnets. The receiving distributor is mechanically similar to the receiving distributor shown and described in. Patent 2,018,420. The polarized relays associated with the punches are of the type shown and described in Patent 1,673,884 issued June 19, 1928, to H. C. Pye. While only a few transfer relays are shown in Fig. 8 for operatively connecting the storage devices to the punch by way of the conductors of cable Q92, it will be understood that there are more transfer relays provided so that all the conductors of any one storage device may be connected to corresponding polar relays in any punch in the manner diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 15.

The general layout or. schematic drawing shown in Fig. 15, diagrammatically illustrates the circuit of the merchandise control system shown in detail in Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive. This merchandise control system is somewhat similar to the system disclosed in the Robinson et a1. Patent 2,018,420, issued October 22, 1935. The main difference between these two systems is the reduction in the number of punches needed in the instant case because of the use of storage devices and the use of the improved high speed punch which is capable of receiving and punching over one hundred different stored registrations per minute.

Referring now to Fig. 15, each sales room has one or more transmitters such as disclosed in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 14, 15, and 16 in the Robinson et a1. Patent 2,018,420. A plunger lineswitch is individually connected to each transmitter. Each plunger lineswitch has access to a plurality of secondary rotary switches which in turn have access to receiving distributors. A sequence switch associated with each receiving distributor has access to a storage device comprising a pinrallty of condenser sets for storing a registration transmitted from the transmitter. A finder switch associated with each improved high speed punch has access to all of the condenser storage devices.

When the perforated sales, cashiers, and clerks cards are placed in the transnntter and the transmitter cover is closed, the associated plunger lineswitch connects with an idle prese= lected secondary rotary lineswitch. The rotary lineswitch hunts for and connects with an idle receiving distributor and after this connection transmission is started. The transmitter and receiving distributors then operate in synchronism 2&1 1,165

condensersoi successive condenser sets in the.

condenser storage device are charged in accordance with the successive transmitted codes. When the transmission is completed and the message is registered on the storage device a finder associated withan' idle punch is operated to find and connect this storage device with the idle punch. Certain of the transfer relays are now operated by the finder to connect each condenser of this storage device to a corresponding polar relay in the punch whereupon thecondensers which are charged discharge to operate the corresponding polar relays. The polar relays in turn operate corresponding punch solenoid magnets which, when the punch plate is operated, cause a card to beperforated in accordance with the operated solenoid magnets.

/ Mechanical description of punch. V

' The punch shown in Figs. 1 and--2 is somewhat similar in part tothe punch shown in the Lasker Patent 1,985,101 issued December 18, 1934, except that the movable carriage and set-up basket, having the settable stops, have been removed and replaced by anew and novel set-up mechanism.

The operating mechanism for moving the die plates of the Powers punch has been retained without change and is the same as shown in the above mentioned Lasker patent. This operating mechanism may be briefly described as follows:

The cards or blank records to be punched are fed one by one from a stack in a magazine I by a reciprocating card picker H0, which feeds the cards through a pre-adjusted throat Hi to pairs of constantly rotating feed rolls 2. From' the feed rolls 2 the cards pass between a pair of matched perforated plates H2 and H3 mounted upon a vertically movable frame 4 and spaced apart to form therebetween a punching chamber. The punching operation is efiected by vertical reciprocation'of said plates relative to selected punches 33 of a set suspended vertically in denominational rows from a stationary perforated plate 8 and positioned to pass through the perforated plates M2 and H8 upon upward movement of the latter to thereby perforate the card, the plates 2 and H3 acting as punch guiding and die members, respectively, as will be clear. The punches 33 are vertically movable in the plate 8 and normally spaced slightly above the card whereby they are normally moved -upwardly and idly by the latter. Reciprocation of the plates M2 and H3 is efiected by means of a cam 5 fast upon a main drive shaft 58, and a rocking lever ll operatively connected to the frame use, as indicated at H5, and having a roller M6 engaging said cam 5. .The card to be punched is temporarily held stationary in the chamber 3, and against theaction of continuously driven feed rolls, 5, by a p'air of card stops, one of which is shown at 3, mounted on stop operating levers, as at ill, fast upon a shaft M8 rocking in oppo= site directions to move said-stops to card obstructing and releasing positions, respectively. The shaft'iiii is rocked in one direction by a lever Hi9 fast thereon and operated by a cam 8 fast on the main shaft 58 and in the opposite direction by a suitably arranged spring E28. After the card is punched and released by the stops ii, it is fed by rolls 5 to ejecting rolls it,

thence into a storage receptacle H, or over an 5 2,211,165 automatically controlled card gate. The selecting mechanism in realityoonsists of three assemblages, the solenoid block assembly, the intervening slide-rod assembly, and the punch selecting slide-rod assembly.

The solenoid block assembly comprises a substantially rectangular soft iron block 28 drilled for mounting the solenoid magnets 29 as shown in cross-section in Fig. 2. The block 28 is accured to the frame of the punch by means of end bars 39 and 48 mounted on the base plate of the punch frame. Each solenoid magnet 29 is individual to a particular punch 33 and since there are twelve punches 33 in a row there is also a corresponding number of solenoid magnets 29 in a row in block 28. The block 28 may be drilled for a total of 540 solenoid magnets if it is desired to punch a hole in any one of the 540 perforation spaces on a record card. In this case a smaller block having less solenoid magnets is used because only certain fields or columns on the card are to be perforated. Each solenoid magnet 29 has a plunger 43 which is magnetically operated to the right as shown in Fig. 2 when the winding of the solenoid is energized. The plunger 43 operates the bronze push rod 3| to the right to cause the operation of its individu intervening slide-rod 21 to the right.

The intervening slide-rod assembly comprises two end plates 31 and 38 and two side plates 24 and 26 suitably mounted on the base plate 25 and on the end frame members 34. The side plate 28 is drilled with holes opposite each solenoid push rod 3| while somewhat similar holes are drilled in the side plate 24. The slide-rods 21 are slidably inserted in the holes in the side plates and are bent in the shapes shown in Figs. 1

and 2 to enable the slide-rods 21 to line up with I the rows of punches. The side plate 26 is also secured to the solenoid block 28 by means of studs 32 and machine screws.

The punch selecting slide-rod assembly comprises the horizontal slide-rods I8, the vertical slide-rods I6, the plates 23, 2|, I4, I5, and I2, and the step-cut member I3. The side plates I2 and I4 are fastened to the end frame members 34 by means of machine screws 36 and lugs 35 on the end frame members 34 directly above the outside edges of the stationary perforated plate 8. The side plate I4 has a rectangular ripening cut' therein to enable the perforated guide plate I5 for the vertical slide-rods I6 to be fastened thereto as shown in Fig. 2. The side plate I2 also has a rectangular opening to provide space for the lower horizontal slide-rods I8. The stepcut member I3 is diagonally mounted between the two side plates I2 and I4 and secured thereto by machine screws. The member I3 has as many steps as there are punches in a row and each stepis drilled with-intersecting horizontal and vertical holes. A vertical hole is drilled for each vertical slide I6 and a horizontal hole is drilled for each horizontal slide I8. The holes for the corresponding vertical and horizontal slide-rods intersect to form a cross or letter T as shown at II in Fig. 2. The perforated, guide plate I5 has a guide hole for each vertical slide rod I6 and is secured to plate I4 and member I3 by machine screws. The vertical slide rods I6 are inserted in the vertical T shaped holes I1 and the guide holes in plate I5 to engage the heads of punches 33. The slide rods I6 are free to move upward with the punches 33 when the same are raised unless obstructed by the horizontal slide rods I8 which have been moved to the right in the horizontal hole I1. 7 i

The plates 2| and 23 are held in fixed position by the studs 4| and 42 and upright bars 22. The studs 4| and 42 extend from the upper portion 5 of member I3 to-the upper part of plate 2|. The plates 2| and 23 are secured to the uprightbars 22 which are fastened to the side plate I2 by machine screws. The plates 2| and 23 have guide holes therein through which the horizontal slide 10 rods I8 extend to lineup with their corresponding individual intervening slide-rods 21. Each slide rod l8 has a collar 20 secured thereto and a spring I9 tensioned to maintain the rods I8 in the position shown in Fig. 2 with the collar 15 20 abutting the plate 23 so that the right-hand ends of slide rbds I8 do not obstruct the move ment of the vertical slide rods I 6 when the punches 33 are raised by frame 4 as previously described. 7

When one of the solenoid magnets is energized the plunger 43 operates the push rod 3| to the right, as seen in Fig. 2, to in turn operate the corresponding individual rods 21 and I8 to the right against the spring tension of spring I9. 25 The right-hand end of rod I8 is then in position to obstruct the vertical movement of its corresponding vertical slide-rod I6 so that the punch 33, individual to this rod, is not raised when the frame 4 is raised, with the result that a corre- 20 sponding hole is perforated by this punch in the card in punching position. All unoperated horizontal slide rods I8 do not obstruct the movement of their corresponding vertical slide-rods I6 with the result that only holes corresponding to the 85 operated solenoids and slide rods I8 are perforated in the card.

The date-punching mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 4 comprises a. perforated plate 53, date selecting pins 54, 55, and 56, and a rotatable looking plate ii. The perforated plate 53 has three rows of holes 51 therein corresponding to the punches 33 and is stamped with abbreviated months opposite the lower row of holes 51, while the other rows of holes correspond to the days of themonth. The locking plate 5| is rotatably mounted on side plate I2 at 52 to enable the pins 54, 55, and 56 to be manually moved and inserted in the holes corresponding to the desired date. When plate 5| is rotated to locked position the upper face of plate 5| engages the lower edge of a cut-out portion of side plate I4 as shown in Fig. 4. A flat spring 6|, secured at 62 to side plate I4 (Fig. 1) has a curved end which fits into a hollowed portion of plate 5| to lock the plate 5| in position.

\ Detail circuit description In order to describe the detail circuit operation, it will be assumed that a cash sale has been 60 made and that the merchandise card, the sales clerk's card, and the cashier's card have been inserted in the transmitter which is then closed to cause the operation of the plunger line switch shown in Fig. 5 in the same manner as described 65 in the Robinson et a1. Patent 2,018,420. In response to the operation of the plunger lineswitch shown in Fig. 5, spring contacts 209 connect ground to armature 242, spring contacts 2) connect the hue conductor I82 to the upper winding of line relay 223, and spring contacts 2| I connect the line conductor I82 to the lower winding of line relay 223. In this case, since the sale is a cash sale, ground is connected to conductor I82, as described in the aforesaid Robinson et a1.

patent, to cause the energization of line relay 228 Atfront contact 249 line relay 228 connects ground through. spring contacts 228 and 258 to maintain magnet 282 of the plunger lineswitch in operated position after-the plunger line relay 2M restores. At contact 258 relay 223 connects grounded conductor i132v to the upper winding of recording relay 225 and at contacts 252 energizes relay 224. Relay. 224 at contact 253 grounds the hold conductor 29!, at contact 256 prepares a circuit for operating the stepping magnet 234 of the rotary lineswitch, and at contact 255 prepares a circuit for the test chain relay 2. Recording relay 225, upon energizing, at contact 25! prepares a point in the circuit for connecting line conductor I82 to line wiper 232, at contact 258 completes a locking circuit through its lower winding, at contacts 259 and 260 connects the test wiper 233 to stepping magnet 235, at contact 25! connects the test wiper 233 tothe test chain" relay 2M, and at contact 252 prepares the circuit for connecting line conductor l8! to line wiper 23!. The operation at this time depends upon whether the wipers of the recording switch RS are connected1to a busy trunk or not. If the trunk is busy, then conductor 283 is grounded, with the result that the test relay 2H5 is short circuited as follows: from grounded trunk conductor 283, associated bank contact and wiper 233, contact 259, back contact 225, contact 255, contact 25!, lower winding of. relay 2M, contact 231, to ground at contact 22!]. A branch of this circuit extends from contact 258 by way of contacts 254 and 260 to the interrupter springs 235 and through the winding of stepping magnet 235 to battery. Stepping magnet 236 energizes over this circuit and near the end of its stroke operates the interrupter springs 235 to open its own energizing circuit. Stepping magnet 238, upon deenergizing, steps its wipers one step and closes its interrupter springs 235, whereupon if wiper 233 again engagesa grounded bank contact of a busy trunk the test relay 255 is again short circuited and the motor magnet again energizes to step the wipers another step. Stepping magnet 236 therefore operates in the manner of a buzzer to step the wipers step by step until wiper 233 no longer finds a grounded bank contact. When test wiper 233 stops on a nongrounded contact, or in engagement with the .test contact of an idle trunk, the chain test relay 2H1 is no longer short circuited and therefore energizes in series with stepping magnet 235 as foloriginal energizing circuit, and at contact 238 and its resting contact disconnects the recording chain conductor 253 and at its front contact coinpletes a circuit for energizing cut-through relay 222 as follows: from ground by way of back contact 2 3i, chain conductor 288, front contact 232, conductor 285 and through the upper winding of cut-through relay 222 to battery. Cut-through relay 222, upon energizing, at contact 2% opens. the circuit to line relay and connects the line conductor [182 to line conductor 282 by way of wiper 282. At contact 285 cut-through relay 222 completes a locking circuit through its lower winding to the hold conductor 29!, at back contact 24S disconnects test wiper 233 from stepping magnet 234 and at its front contact connects the hold conductor 29! to test wiper 233; and at contact 281 disconnects the lower winding of line relay 223 and connects conductor !8! to lirgconductor 28! by way of wiper 23!.

inal energizing circuit of recording relay 225 which, however, is maintained energized from grounded hold conductor 29! by way of its lower winding, and at contact 252 opens the circuit of the slow-to-release relay 224. Relay 224 is made slow to release so as to maintain the hold conductor 29! grounded at contact 253 for a sui- Line relay 223, upon energizing, at contact 25!! opens the origficient time to permit ground to be returned back start springs 310, and through the winding of the start-stop magnet 388 to battery. The guard relay 320 alone is energized over this circuit, and the start-stop magnet 350 does not energize because of the high resistance of relay 320.

Returning now to the time when cut-through relay 222 energized to connect the line conductors I8! and I82 to conductors 28! and 282, and to ground hold conductor 283, a circuit may now be traced from grounded conductor 29! for energizing the lower polarizing winding of line relay 30!) and for energizing relay M7, as follows: from grounded conductor 28!, front contact 246, 299, 259, wiper 233, conductor 283, one branch extending to the lower polarizing winding of line relay 308 and the other branch extending by way of contacts 332, 382, 358, conductor 399, mark springs 38?, mark conductor,

and thence through the winding of relay 6!! to battery. The energization of the lower polarizing winding 3 of line relay 300 prepares the relay so that it will quickly operate its armature when a circuit is completed through its operating winding I. to the relay disclosed in the H. C. Pye application, Serial No. 601,114, filed March 25, 1932, and is provided with a polarized winding 3, an operating winding and a bucking winding 2 which opposes and neutralizes the winding to kick the armature down or back to its normal position when the circuit through the winding 9 is opened. The operation of cut-through relay 222 also connected the grounded line conductor !82 to conductor 282 by way of wiper 232, through the upper operating winding "i of line relay 388 to battery. Responsive to this circuit line relay 38!) operates its armature and at contacts 30! shunts the associated resistance R to fully energize the bucking winding 2, which just balances the winding 6 but allows the polarizing winding to hold the relay operated. At contact 352 line relay 358 opens the circuit of the slowto-reiease guard relay 325 and completes the circuit for operating relay Sit. At contact 383 line relay 225 prepares a point in the pulsing circuit through the receiving cam springs 325 to 325, inclusive.

Relay lil, upon energizing over the above traced circuit, at contact 622i completes a circuit Line relay 300 is somewhat similar 1 through the lower winding of two-step relay "3 to cause the latter relay to operate and close only its X contacts 428. Relay 8 operates in its first step and at contact 428 completes a short circuit around its upper winding as follows: from grounded contact 421 through the upper winding of two-step relay 8, X contacts 428, conductor 333, contacts 388, 342, 332, conductor 233, back to grounded conductor 23l'.- Relay 3l8 energizes in response to the operation of line relay 388 and at contact 3 grounds the hold conductor 283 to maintain the line switches in operated position and to maintain ground on conductor 333. At contact 312 relay 3l8 places a shunt around contact 332, at contact 3|3 prepares a point in the circuit to relay 238, at back contact 3 opens a further point in the circuit to guard relay 328, and at front contact 3l4 prepares a point in the circuit for operating the start-stop magnet 388.

Relay 223 in the rotary line switch deenergizes shortly after the operation of cut-through relay 222 and at front contact 248 removes one of the multiple grounds from conductor 23l' as well as opening the circuit of relay 224 at contact 282. After an interval slow-to-release relay 224 deenergizes to remove ground at contact 233 from conductor 29l' which at this time is grounded by way of conductor 283 and contact 3. At contacts 254 and 255 relay 224 opens the circuit to the chain relay 2 which now deenergizes to establish the chain circuit to allow other recording switches to switch through.

Slow-to-release guard relay 328 deenergizes after an interval and atacontact 32l prepares a point in the circuit for marking this distributor in the banks of the finders associated with the tact 325 disconnects ground from conductor 335.

and from the multiple bank contacts accessible to wiper 43f of the sequence switch in Fig. 7. At contact 323 relay 328 grounds conductor 28! to complete the circuit to the line relay in the transmitter shown in Patent 2,818,428 as follows: from ground through cam spring 313, conductor 333, contact 323, conductor 28l, bank contact and wiper 23L contacts 282, 241, 243, and 2| I to conductor WI and then to the line relay 588 shown in Fig. 15 of the aforementioned patent. The operation of the transmitter line relay causes the operation of the transmitting distributor to transmit grounded code pulses over conductor N32 to conductor 282 for operating line relay 388 in the same manner as described in the aforesaid ill patent. In response to each rotation of the transmitting distributor, ground is first disconnected from conductor I32 by the transmitter start cam to open the circuit through the upper operating winding l of line relay 388. Line relay 388 very quickly deenergizes because the bucking winding 2 overcomes the magnetic effect of the polarizing winding 3 to knock the relay down and release its armatures. In response to the deenergization of line relay 388 the circuit to the start-stop magnet 388 of the receiving distributor is completed as follows: from ground through the normally closed contacts 382, front contact 3M, start springs 318 and through the winding of start-stop magnet 388 to battery. Magnet 388 operates its armature 38l to release the receiving distributor cam shaft with the result that the cams shown in Fig. 6 are now rotated. The motor 382 is continuously operated from a source of alternating current and is a synchronously operated motor for rotating the cams at a predetermined speed. The transmitting distributor of the aforesaid patent and the receiving distributor shown in Fig. 6 now operate in synchronism. v

First code transmission The transmitting distributor and the receiving distributor are now in position to transmit the first code pulse from the sales room.. The transmission and receipt of this code pulse takes place in the same manner as described in the aforesaid patent, and the code is sent by grounding conductor I82 at predetermined times in the rotation of the transmitter cam shaft. Each time the transmitting distributor grounds conductor I82 in accordance with the code, line relay 388 is operated in accordance therewith.

Since the transmitting and receiving distributors are now rotating in synchronism, the receiving distributor, due to the rotation of its cam shaft has first momentarily separated the lock spring 311 to unlock any locked pick-up relays, such as 48l to 488, inclusive, shown in Fig. '1; has separated mark springs 381 to remove marking ground from mark conductor to open the circuit of relay 4"; and has separated start springs 318 to open the circuit to the start-stop magnet 388 which now falls back and stops the cam shaft when it has completed one revolution. Assuming now that the code for digit 1 is being sent, which corresponds to 3-5 of the time intervals of one revolution of the cam shaft, cam springs 3H and 388 have been closed with effect because the line relay 388 up to this point is not energized, since the code being transmitted is 3-5 for the digit 1. When line relay 388 is energized in response to the first ground pulse of this code, the receiving distributor cam shaft is in a position corresponding to that of the transmitting distributor or in this case, the cam shaft springs 338 and 313 are closed at the time line relay 388 is energized. with the receiver cam shaft in this position and with line relay 388 energized, a circuit may now be traced for energizing pick-up relay 483, in Fig. 7, as follows: from ground through the resistance RI, contact 383, interrupter cam springs 388 closed in recess position 3 of the interrupter cam, conductor. 384, cam springs 313 now closed by cam 3, conductor 3 of receiver cable 438, and through the upper winding of pick-up relay 483 to battery. Interrupter cam springs 388 are closed only for a short interval of time to prevent more than one pick-up relay from energizing and it can therefore be seen that only a portion of the impulse received on line relay 388 is effective for energizing the pick-up relay. Pick-up relay 483 energizes very quickly and locks up through its lower winding by way of contact 3, lock conductor, lock cam springs 311, to grounded conductor 333. Pick-up relay 383, upon energizing, at contact 433 grounds the number 3 conductor in the send-back cable E3l; at armature 324 opens one point in the chain circuit and at contact 443, 453, and 483 prepares a circuit for charging a storage condenser of the storage device.

Since the code 33 for the digit 1 is being transmitted, the transmitter disconnects ground from conductor NZ to deenergize line relay 388, which deenergizes very quickly due to the circuit through its opposing winding 2. Line relay 388 is therefore deenergized during the time the re calving distributor cam shaft springs 37d and 388 areclosed with the result that no circuit is closed over the number 4 conductor of receive cable 590 for pick-up relay Md. Ground is onnected to conductor 32 to reenergize line r lay 360 at a time when the number 5 cam in the receiving distributor closes its cam springs 315. With line relay 3% operated and cam springs 388 and 315 closed, a circuit may be traced for energizing the pick-up relay 565 as follows: from ground through resistance Rt, contact are, in-. terrupter springs 388, conductor 36%, cam springs 3V5, conductors of receive cable 588, and through the upper winding of relay $85 to battery. Pickup relay 505 looks itself over its lower winding and contact M5 to the grounded loci; conductor,

at contacts 25 opens another point in the chain circuit, at contact 535 connects the grounded lock conductor to the number 5 conductor of send back cable can and at contact see connects the mark conductor to wiper 382 of the sequence switch.

Shortly after the cam shaft of the receiving distributor is started in its rotation, mark cam springs 38'? are opened by the mark cam to disconnect grounded conductor 399 from mark conductor thereby opening the circuit of relay dii. Relay All? accordingly deenergizes and at contact t2? removes the short circuit from around the upper winding of two-step relay sit with the result that relay did now operates in its second step from grounded conductor 399 over its upper and lower winding in series to close contact ist.

Transmission check-buck Before proceeding further with the transmitting description, it is believed advisable to explain the check-back description which also takes place during the first revolution of the two cam shafts of both the transmitting and receiving distributors. The transmission of the checkback code is substantially identical with that described in the Robinson et al. patent and will therefore be described briefly. When the pickup relay 603 energizes in response to the first pulse of the transmitted code, said relay at contact 53S closes a circuit for grounding the numbe! 3 conductor in send-back cable $98 as follows: grounded conductor 399, lock cam springs Sll', lock conductor, contact 526, contact 622, contacts 42% and 62! in multiple, contact 833, number 3 conductor in send-hack cable tee, cam springs 383 operated by the number 3 cam, con ductor 363, contact 323, conductor 2%, bank contact and wiper 235, contacts 262, 26?, 243 and 2H to conductor E85 extending to the transmitting distributor in the aforesaid patent. Pick-up relay 405 energises in response to the second pulse of the first transmitted code digit and said relay at contact 535 connects the grounded lock conductor to the number 5 conductor of send-back cable dbl and then through cam springs 385 andconductor 363 over the previously traced circuit back to the transmitting distributor. Since the two cam shafts in the transmitting and receiving distributors are rotating in synchronism corresponding cam shaft springs are closed at corresponding times to transmit the check code back to the transmitting distributor in the same revolution of these two cam shafts. From the foregoing it will be seen that in transmitting the first digit or digit 1 the code 3-5 has been transmitted to the receiving distributor which in turn has caused the energization of pick-up relays 183 and 85 and has sent back the -same code 3-5 to the transmitting distributor which checks to see if the code sent back agrees with the transmitted code in the manner described in the Robinson et al. patent. It should be noted that the pick-up relays shown in Fig. 7 control a chain of contacts see, are, 325, e22, 626, and 528 which are so arranged that if certain combinations of relays are energized the grounded lock conductor will not be can nectedv toany of the send=baclr conductors of cable 59!. a

Pick-up relay its, upon'energizing, at contact 353 prepares a point in the circuit forcharging the number 11 condenser of the first set associated with the first bank contact accessible to wiper 382 of the sequence switch and the pick-up relay 365 at contact lih prepares another point in this circuit. When the receiving distributor cam shaft has rotated far enough on its first revolution to reclose mark springs 38?, grounded conductor 399 is connected to mark conductor to reenergize relay iii and for completing the circuit to charge the storage condenser M of the first set accessible over the first bank con-- tact of wiper 382. Relay til, upon energizing, at contact 63? completes the circuit by way. of contact use for energizing the stepping magnet 38B of the sequenceswitch. Stepping magnet 588 energizes and positions its pawl, not shown, preparatory to stepping the wipers of the sequence switch and at'the same time opens its interrupter contacts. The circuit for charging the number 11 condenser of the first set may beitraced as follows: from grounded mark con= ductor by way of back contact Mid, front contact 6-565, contact Q78, wiper 682 in engagement with its first bank contact to the number 11 condenser and battery. Both the transmitting and the receiving distributors have at this time completed their first revolution and the cam shafts have come to rest preparatory to transmitting and receiving the second code digit.

Returning now to the end of the first revolution of the two distributors, and assuming that no error or fault has occurred in the operation thereof, certain circuit operations take place in the manner set forth in the Robinson et a1, patent to start the transmitting distributor in its,

second revolution to transmit the second digit. Near the end of each revolution of the transmit= ting distributor the start cam springs therein grounds conductors 182 and 282 to reenergize line relay 3%. its previously described, the starting of the transmitting distributor opens its start cam springs to disconnect ground. from conductor 282 to deenergize line relay 3%, which upon deenergizing, operates the start-stop magnet 368 of the receiving distributor. The two distributor cam shafts again operate in synchro nism. Assuming the second digit to be trans= mitted is the digit 2, then the code 2i is transmitted over the conductors I82 and 282 by grounding these conductors to transmit two ground pulses during the second and fourth time intervals of the code. In the same manner as previously described, the line relay 3% is ac cordingly energized at the time that the number 2 cam closes springs 372 and the number 5 cam closes the cam springs 31%. At the start of the receiving distributor the loci; cam operates the loci: springs (it? to disconnect grounded conductor 3% from the loci; conductor thereby deenergizing the operated pich up relays its and we. Also at the start of the receiving distributor the mark cam separates the cam springs 38? to likewise disconnect grounded conductor see from the mark conductor thereby opening 30 1 tact may be traced as follows: from grounded the cficuit to relay II! and to the condenser ll of the first .set. The condenser ll maintains its charge and relay 4", upon deenergizing. op the circuit to stepping magnet III which accordingly deenerglzes and steps wipers "I to 486, inclusive, one step into engagement with their second bank contacts. Shortly thereafter line relay 300 is energized by the first ground pulse of the second code to cause the operation of the pick-up relay 402 in a manner similar to that previously described. When the second pulse of the code is received, line relay 300 operates and completes the circuit for energizing pick-up relay 0| through cam shaft springs 314 and over the number 4 conductor of the receive cable 490 through the upper winding of relay 404 to battery. Pick-up relays 402 and 808, upon energizing, lock over their lower windings to the lock conductor which is now grounded by lock cam. springs 311. In the same manner as previously described, the operation of these relays transmit the check-back code 24 to the line relay of the transmitting distributor in order to check the transmission and receipt of this code. The operation of the pick-up relays 802 and 408 also complete circuits for charging two of the storage condensers as soon as the mark cam springs 38! are closed. The circuit for charging the number 11 condenser or the second set accessible to wiper 482 over its second bank conconductor 399, mark cam springs 381, mark conductor back contact I, back contacts 3, 846, front contact 4, contact 452, back contact 4', wiper 482 in engagement with its second bank contact, and the number 11 condenser of the second set to battery. Another condenser is simultaneously charged with this condenser whenever pick-up relays 402 and 404 are energized over the following circuit: from grounded mark Punch Punch Code Pick-up Condenmagnets magnets Digit trans relays sers operated operated mitted operated charged in 0 to 45 in 40 to column column 4-6 404-406 3-5 403-405 11 XI V 2-4 402-404 11-13 XI-HI V-IX 1-3 401-403 10 X VI 2-6 402-406 10-3 X-IlI VI-IX 5-6 1 I VII 4-5 1-3 I-IlI VII-IX 3-4 403-404 2 11 Vil'I 2-3 402-403 2-3 11-111 VIII-IX 1-2 401-402 3 III I l-G 401-406 Since the codescorresponding to the remaining digits are transmitted and checked in the manner similar to that just described, it is believed that the above chart is sufiicient to show the manner in which the remaining codes are transmitted and received. However, in case the digit 0 comprising the code 4-6 is transmitted, pick-up relays 404 and 406 are operated, but do not closea circuit to charge any condenser because none is needed. The relay Ill, however, is energized to operate the step magnet 488 oithesequenceswitch so that the wipers or this switch will take one step at the commencement of the next code. In a similar man er, when space or the code l6 is transmitted, he sequence switch takes another step, and pick-up relays 4M and 406 are likewise energized but do not close any circuits to charge a condenser.

The switch S is in'Fig. 14 of the Robinson et al. patent has been'changed slightly so as to take one step after each code transmissicnuntil the entire message has been transmitted because, in the instant invention, it is not necessary for the transmitter to wait for a carriage return operation of the punch. The change merely consists in multipling the stopping bank contact to the other multipled bank contacts accessible to the wiper controlling the stepping operation of this switch in a manner apparent from the disclosure.

The sequence switch shown in Fig. 7 is stepped one step for each coded digit received to prepare a circuit for charging one or two of the condensers in successive condenser sets of the storage condensers over the bank contacts in the manner previously described:

Assuming now that the sequence switch in Fig. 7 has been stepped into engagement with its last contact in response to the receipt of the last code digit and when the mark conductor is grounded to charge the condenser or condensers inthe last storage set relay 1 is operated. Since wiper 8| oi. the sequence switch is in its last position, relay H1, at the same time it completes a circuit for energizing stepping magnet 480, also completes a circuit for operating relay 330 as follows: from ground byway of contacts 431 and 438, interrupter contacts of the stepping magnet 480, wiper 48l in engagement with its last bank contact, conductor 394, through the normally closed make-before-break contact 336, through the lower winding of differential relay 330, contact 324 and resistance to battery. Relay 330 energizes before stepping magnet opens its interrupter contact and at contact 336 completes to the first bank contacts accessible to the finders associated with the punches shown in Figs. 8

and 9. A branch 01 this circuit. also extends through the winding of spotter relay and switch 580 to battery. At contacts 332 relay 330 removes the shunt from around contact 3i 2, at contact 833 grounds conductor 284 by way of contact 3l3 thereby completing the circuit for energizing relay 288 in the rotary lineswitch of Fig. 5 by way of wiper- 28L at contact 334 opens .a further point in the circuit to the guard relay 320 and at contact 335 prepares a point in the circuit for energizing its upper winding.

Release relay 298 in the rotary lineswitch of Fig. 5, upon energizing at contact 299 disconnects the grounded conductor 283 from hold conductor 29l thereby opening the locking circuit of cut-through relay 222, recording relay 225, and magnet 202 of the plunger lineswitch with the result that the plunger lineswitch restores and relays 222 and 225 now deenergize to restore the rotary lineswitch to normal condition. Relay 225, upon deenergizing, at contact 251 disconnects line conductor i 82 from line conductor 282 to deenergize line relay 300 and at contact conductor-"F B! to'deenergize the line relay in the lid.

dill. At the normally closed springs 3&2, relay transmitter to cause the'release of the transmitter as described inthe Robinson et al. patent. The deenergization of plunger magnet 202 restores the plunger lineswiteh to normal and opens contacts 298, 209, Eidand 2i i. The transmitter, the plunger, and rotary lineswitch, after release; are available for other calls.

Line relay 3% deenergizes in response to the release of the rotary lineswitch and at contact tut opens the circuit; to slow-=to-release relay are again completes the circuit for energizing the start-stop magnet 36 to cause the receiving distributor to make one extra revolution. Slowto-release relay did deenergizes after an interval and at contact 359 removes one of the multiple grounds from conductor 28 At contact it? relay tit disconnects grounded conductor 23 from conductor see, thereby disconnecting ground from the mark and lock conductors. The dis= connection of ground from conductor 399 opens the locking circuit to the two-=step relay did, the disconnection of ground from the mark conductor opens the charging circuit to the condensers and also opens the circuit to relay M? which therefore deenerglzes to cause the dee ergization of two-step relay M8 and stepping magnet 48 to cause the sequence switch to step from its last position to its first position. The disconnection of ground from the lock conductor causes the deenergization of any operated pickup relays. At contact 1M3 relay it opens the circuit to relay 298 in the rotary lineswitch and at contacts 3E6 opens the circuit to the startstop magnet 366 after having caused one extra revolution of the distributor. Spotter relay energizes over grounded conductor 296 and at contacts 586,582, and 583 grounds the start conductors extending to the three finders associated with the three punches. Spotter relay 58d also operates its wiper 586 one step into engagement with the multiple contacts 1 of the associated banks. The spotter relay and switch is shown in detailv in Figs. and 11. This relay switch comprises the usual relay winding 58d and annature 586 for operating the spring contacts 58E, 582, and 583. Mounted on the heel piece of this relay is a bracket 5' upon which the insulating disc 51B is secured. The bank contacts 1, 2, and 3 extend through punched holes in disc are and are secured thereto in the position shown. A shaft 514! extends through the bracket 5H and disc 5m to which wiper 58% is secured. A ratchet wheel 588 is fastened to the shaft 516 which rotates in a hole in bracket 5' and a hole in bracket 5'83 which is mounted on bracket 5'. A stop spring detent see is mounted on one ear of bracket Ell to hold ratchet 588, shaft 5%, and wiper 58d in set position. A stop 572, mounted on the other car of bracket 51!, is provided to control the stroke of the spring pawl 581? which is mounted on the lower end of the auxiliary armature 585. Whenever the winding 580 is energized armature 586 closes spring contacts 586, 582, and 583, which are only partially shown, and the auxiliary armature 585 operates spring pawl 587 to engage and rotate ratchet 588 and wiper 58 3 from engagement with one set of bank contacts to the next set where the hold or stop spring detent 589 holds the wiper in its new position.

Assuming that all three punches are idle, then all start relays 528, 525i, and 529 are energized from guarded contacts 585, 582, and 583 over their start leads and back contacts on; their associated test relays. Start relay 6%, upon energizing, at contact 52! prepares a point in the circuit for operating test relay 5N3, atcontact 522 completes a self-interrupting circuit for stepping magnet-eil and at contact E523 opens a point in the chain circuit to test relay etc of the second finder to prevent the second finder from seizing the calling distributor. Start relay 52d of the second fin er, upon energizing at contact 529 prepares a s ar circuit for its test relay 5 i t, at contact 522' completes a self-interrupting circuit for the stepping magnet 5%, and at contact 523' opens a point in the chain circuit to test relay 5M of the third'iinder to prevent the third finder from seizing the calling distributor. Start relay 52 or the third finder, upon energizing, at contact 52i prepares a similar test circuit for its test relay 5 idiat contact 522 completes a self-interrupting circuit ior stepping magnet 5635 and at contact 523 opens a point in the chain circuit to test relay hit of the first finder.

All of the finders now hunt for a grounded bank contact and only one of these finders can find this contact dependent upon the position of wiper 58d of spotter switch 5%. Since wiper 58d of the spotter switch is in engagement with the number 1 multiple bank contacts, then test relay did of the first finder is the only test relay which can be energized at this time. The circuit for energizing test relay 5GB may be traced as follows: from grounded conductor 39E, first bank contact and wiper 592, contact 52E, through the lower multipled number 1 bank contacts, wiper 586, through the number 1 multipled bank contacts and through the lower winding of test relay 5m to battery. At contact Ell test relay 5th, upon energizing, connects ground by way of wiper 5m to conductor 390 for energizing relay 3% in the receiving distributor, at contact hi2 completes an energizing circuit through the up per winding of hold relay 53, at contact did opens the stepping circuit to stepping magnet 595 to stop the wipers of the first finder in en= gagement with its first bankcontacts, at contact 5M completes a circuit from grounded cam springs 555 through wiper 503 and the distrib uting frame D. F. to the upper and lower transfer relays 560 and 5st, at contact 5l5 opens the circult to start relay 52% which accordingly deenergizes, and at contact 506 completes a locking circuit through its upper winding over wiper sec and the distributing frame D. F. to grounded contact 545.

Relay 3 59 in the receiving distributor energizes over the above-tracedv circuit when conductor 398 is grounded and at contact 365 main tains conductor 28% grounded. At contact 3:32 relay 3% opens a further point in the circuit for grounding conductor 399 and at contact 3&5 corn-= pletes a circuit through the upper winding of difierential relay 330. Since both upper and lower windings of relay 330 are wound in opposition and both windings are now energized the magnetic efiect on the armature of this relay is such as to release the armature. Relay upon deenergizing, at contact flit disconnects ground from conductor 395 to remove the marking ground from the bank of the finder and for deenergizing spotter relay 586. At contact 3% relay 330 completes the circuit for reenergizing guard relay 32d and-at contacts 5-335 and B36 simultaneously opens the circuits through its upper and lower windings. Guard relay 325 now energizes lit 

